Still (1)

You have always said that to me.

Looking back, it was almost incessant.

The pain that overflowed and reached me, having been hidden too tightly behind those premature blue eyes.

Perhaps I could understand. The longing for death that subtly shone through her words and actions.

But when I turned around and looked at her again, I could also see her legs trembling.

So frail and pitiful, as if she would break if touched even slightly.

Erica wiped the blood from her mouth and opened her eyes again.

The situation was roughly resolved.

Rene regained her strength thanks to Erica, and there was Iris hugging her and crying profusely.

“R-re, sob, Rene…”

“Yes, yes.”

A hand that looked somewhat rough caressed Iris’s back. The owner of the hand wore a gentle smile. Though her body was still not fully healed.

I glanced to the side. Erica, the main character, was roughly wiping her mouth. Traces of blood dripping down could be seen intermittently.

It’s an aftereffect. Residue remains due to overusing the healing build.

The reason it’s blood is because I’ve been raising her stats in that way until now.

She’s achieved notable growth in the healing field as well.

She’s on track. To the point where she won’t need me anymore in the future.

Suddenly, I realized I was making eye contact with Erica.

“Come to think of it, we agreed to put the handcuffs back on, right?”

I slightly averted my gaze.

“If you promise not to throw a tantrum, I’ll let this conversation slide.”

“How overflowing with kindness.”

I twisted a lock of hair on the side of my head.

“Fine. I’ll do that.”

“You’re surprisingly agreeable.”

“It’s a relationship that will end anyway. It’s not bad to receive a lot of your love in advance.”

Glancing at the sentence starting with the number 5. being composed in mid-air, I turned my body.

Iris kept bowing deeply. Of course, the target was Erica.

“Uh, uh. Uh. Thank, you. Really.”

Still seemingly not over the shock, she only uttered fragmentary words, looking quite broken. The fact that Iris showed signs of relief was probably because she at least had enough mental capacity left to apologize.

“No. I’m glad it could end well.”

Erica was sparing with her words. Seeing her smile as if not paying attention, jealousy boiled up inside me.

…But I held it back.

Iris took a few deep breaths and then pointed to the boxes placed beside her.

“The magic stones too! Take them. Here, these, devices too!”

There were a few slip-ups. Erica nodded and indicated that she understood.

I stuck close and whispered quietly.

“Usually in these situations, you refuse politely, saying it’s okay.”

“Do you think a proper conversation is possible right now?”

I looked at Iris’s state again. Her disheveled hair caught my eye first. Her still rough breathing and completely reddened face were a bonus.

That’s true.

A feminine voice calling us was heard, and when I turned my gaze beyond, Rene was approaching.

Iris ran and hurriedly hugged her.

It seemed Erica also thought it was about time to part. As I was about to take a step, seeing Erica bow her head briefly.

“…Hey, hey.”

Iris, with her face buried in Rene’s chest, called out to me with flashing red eyes.

“What is it?”

“…You.”

Is she trying to corner me about pointing a gun at Rene? Or for twisting Iris’s arm?

As I was waiting for Iris’s stumbling words, Erica tilted her head beside me.

I smiled slightly because it was cute, and then a voice was heard.

“S-still. Unlike before. …You smile well.”

I ignored it and moved on.

The Director blinked at the boxes.

“What are all these? Magic stones, magical devices, magical gases… Did you win Iris’s favor or something?”

“It seems like that.”

Answering, I approached the coffee machine. I was about to push the button labeled Americano, shoving Erica’s shoulder who was standing in front.

My ear was pinched hard, making me frown.

“That hurts. Why do you keep doing this to me?”

“What shamelessness…”

“Do you perhaps like me? Are you bullying me because you want my attention?”

“Do you think I’m like you?”

“They say you become like the one you like.”

“Oh, really!”

What’s with the fuss?

I was about to tease her seeing her face turn red, but I just slightly moved aside.

It’s the way of mature species to take a step back in times like these.

“I, who am unlike a child, will yield my place to you.”

Erica sighed and pressed the button.

“Anyway, we should send these to the Gyeonggi-do branch. You brought them well. I didn’t expect Iris to be so compliant.”

As I was half-listening, it seemed like the Director had something more to say, so I fixed my gaze.

“Ah, and there’s something to relay to you.”

“What is it?”

Erica, seemingly finished extracting her coffee, showed a curious look while putting the paper cup to her lips.

“Most departments in Gyeonggi have survived. New hunters seem to be increasing after the situation stabilized. In short, the main personnel won’t be needed that much for a while.”

The Director fluttered a paper and met my gaze.

“How about visiting Seoul for a bit?”

I came down to the lower floor and sprawled out in my seat. For whatever reason, roaming outside is an activity that consumes a lot of energy.

Those two took care of the magical beast extermination, so I didn’t use much magical power… That’s also why I was able to save blood.

Well, it was fortunate. I need to stockpile blood for the final squabble with her anyway.

As I was sighing, Erica gave a bitter smile beside me.

“Is it that tiring?”

“Yeah. It’s that tiring.”

After pondering, I paused.

“…You should pretend to be tired too.”

Erica cleanly ignored my words and flipped through a few pages of the report.

“Don’t stress too much, we won’t be in Seoul for long. It’s just a few days’ business trip…”

I was about to initiate skinship but stopped. My pride wouldn’t allow it.

Especially right after reconciling.

“They say they caught a ranker who was wanted for a year at the Seoul headquarters. So they’re starting urban restoration work after the terrorism, and it seems they want us to participate a bit. I think they mean for us to rest since we’ve been doing too many rough jobs until now.”

“Are we going to show our faces at the headquarters?”

I pondered. The Association President…

“I guess so. They said they’ve prepared accommodation, so you can stay at a hotel or something. With your status, um, it might be uncomfortable for you to set foot in the headquarters.”

Erica looked at me cautiously. I was about to answer but just nodded.

“Ah, but you still have to work, so keep that in mind. Distributing supplies to citizens and…”

Erica, who was trying to explain more, fell silent for a moment while looking at the report.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, training…? It says here. It seems they’re telling, ah. Ordering me to do it.”

“Who? To whom?”

“Me. To new hunters?”

“It’ll be an unforgettable lesson. I’d like to attend too.”

Erica looked at me.

“If you say you’ll listen quietly… well, I guess I could consider it.”

“I don’t like that.”

“Oh, really.”

Wanting to talk a bit more, I organized my thoughts.

“Can we drink alcohol when we get there?”

“Huh? Ah, yes… Well. If you want.”

Erica glanced at me and then directed her gaze to the air a few times.

It feels a bit odd when she accepts it as if there’s no problem at all.

Training is not allowed, but drinking together is okay?

Or perhaps because she’s spent so much time by my side, she seems to know well at which point I’ll become docile.

“I’m curious again, can you really drink well?”

“Huh? Of cour-, ahem! Of course.”

“What’s your alcohol tolerance?”

“Ha-half a can of beer?”

“The small one?”

“Y-yes.”

So that’s what you call drinking well.

I observed Erica’s expression carefully. Her face was slightly red. She seemed to know it didn’t make sense and was implying to just let it slide.

Seeing her slightly avert her eyes, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yeah. That’s right. That’s considered drinking well. I have a second question.”

“What is it?”

“What’s your drinking habit?”

I decided to ask things I’ve been curious about for a while.

Erica seemed to think deeply and then muttered to herself.

“No… no, no. But it’s an old story. It’s fine.”

“Do you fall asleep or something?”

She looked surprised by the sudden intrusion.

“Ah, no? Nothing like that. No drinking habit. Yeah.”

“I see. That’s amazing. Really. Looks like we can drink peacefully.”

“What about you in return?”

“Are you asking while knowing? I’m a vampire species. I can’t get drunk at all.”

That’s also why tobacco or drugs don’t harm my body at all.

“Ha… You’re completely invincible…”

Seeing her trembling eyes along with the small voice, I whispered.

“Where are we drinking?”

Erica turned back with an nonchalant face and coughed a few times.

“If we say we’re Association members on the train to Seoul, the alcohol service…”

“I feel like we shouldn’t drink in public places.”

Erica took a breath and blinked.

“Wouldn’t the hotel be good? We’re staying there anyway, right?”

She seemed to nod as I gently persuaded her.

So I just kept looking, and then smiled slightly.